Pa had his special chair and his special corner reserved for him on all occasions, and⁠—without disparagement of his domestic joys⁠—was far happier there, than anywhere. It was always pleasantly droll to see Pa and Bella together; but on this present evening her husband thought her more than usually fantastic with him.

“You are a very good little boy,” said Bella, “to come unexpectedly, as soon as you could get out of school. And how have they used you at school today, you dear?”

“Well, my pet,” replied the cherub, smiling and rubbing his hands as she sat him down in his chair, “I attend two schools. There’s the Mincing Lane establishment, and there’s your mother’s Academy. Which might you mean, my dear?”

“Both,” said Bella.

“Both, eh? Why, to say the truth, both have taken a little out of me today, my dear, but that was to be expected. There’s no royal road to learning; and what is life but learning!”